But facts are facts, and CNN has a different business model than anybody else in the cable news business because of its overwhelming international infrastructure and reach.

And Thursday it got some more good news on that front with an audience measurement survey that shows its dominance among news channels in Africa. And this report comes on the heels of similar surveys from other continents. (See the press release below.)

Now I know it's hard to get past how badly, say, Fox News' Bill O'Reilly beats CNN's Anderson Cooper at 8 p.m. weeknights in the U.S.

But with this kind of international performance and the revenue it generates, the bad news for CNN/U.S. is not nearly as bad for the company as it would be for an operation like Fox that has nothing but its U.S. shows.

CNN has significantly beaten its rivals in the latest EMS Africa survey, confirming its position as the single most watched international broadcaster on the continent – winning seven out of ten of the continent's key audiences across all platforms every month – according to results released today by Ipsos Synovate.

The news comes just after CNN was also named the number one international news channel in Europe (EMS Europe), the Middle East (EMS Middle East) and the Asia Pacific region (Pan-Asia Pacific Cross-Media survey or PAX).

CNN decisively outperforms every international news channel and entertainment and sports channel in monthly, weekly and daily reach. The network is also the number one international cross-platform commercial network.

CNN websites** are the leading international online brand in Africa with a monthly reach of (17.4%), more than double that of the network's nearest competitors Al Jazeera English (7.1%) and BBC.com (6.9%)

On mobile, CNN*** also outranks the competition, reaching 15.8% of respondents monthly against the BBC (10.8%), Al Jazeera English (6.2%) and Sky News (5.2%).

The brand continues to grow its television and online audiences. On TV, CNN records growth across monthly, weekly and daily reach while BBC World News, Sky News and CNBC Africa experience falling audience numbers. CNN online** enjoys growth of 30% in monthly reach.

"To reach almost a third of EMS respondents every day - far eclipsing all our rivals - is an achievement we're proud of. For CNN to growits audience in an increasingly crowded marketplace puts a tangible marker of appreciation on our journalism. The reach of our brand in Africa has never been stronger and we thank our viewers for their loyalty," says Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of CNN International.

"We've been producing Africa-focussed programming for many years now, and the EMS audience clearly has an appetite for our content and is appreciative of our unique ability to deliver the biggest news stories from all corners of the world," he adds.

Rani Raad, Senior Vice President, Ad Sales and Business Development at CNN International, CNN Ad Sales says: "These EMS Africa results underline the undeniable value that CNN offers its various partners, whether it be distribution platforms or advertisers. We're delighted that these results confirm that CNN, the network that invented 24hr news, is still the channel of choice and continues to be a successful brand to be associated with."

CNN adds its successful African footprint to its position as the number one international broadcaster in the Middle East and in Europe, according to EMS 2012, and the number international news channel in the Asia Pacific region, according to PAX.

Conducted between December 2011 and February 2012, the study covers 7 markets in the continent (up from 5 in the first edition): South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya, Cameroon, Ghana and Uganda. It represents a universe of 3.3 million working adults in the top 13% ofpopulations by income.

About CNN International

CNN is the world's leading global 24-hour news network and one of the world's most respected and trusted sources for news and information. The CNN brand is available to two billionpeople via 18 CNN branded TV, internet and mobile services produced by CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System Inc and a Time Warner company. CNN International is the international directorate of CNN Worldwide and distributes news via 14 services in seven different languages. CNN International can be seen in more than 259 million households and hotel rooms in over 200 countries and territories worldwide, and online at www.cnn.com/international.